Image capture method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present apparatus, system, and method relate to reliably capturing multiple x-ray images for later combination. An exposure shield blocks a portion of the x-rays emitted from a traditional emitter and collimator. The orientation of exposure shield may then be modified to block a second portion of x-rays while ensuring appropriate overlap of the captured images without intentionally moving the emitter or collimator and without the need for a patient to wear protective garb.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority to and incorporates herein by thisreference in its entirety and for all purposes U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/868,614 filed on behalf of Steven A Gdula on May 7, 2020.

BACKGROUND

X-ray imaging systems are often used as a means of imaging subcutaneousstructures, and particularly bones of human or animal subjects. Theproblem is that overexposure to radiation, such as x-rays, can bedangerous. Therefore, subjects must shroud themselves in protectivegear, such as a lead apron, or the x-ray radiation must be limited atthe source to the clinical region of interest so as to only to expose aminimal amount of tissue when undergoing x-ray imaging. Additionally,subjects must remain still thought the imaging process.

Sometimes a larger area of the subject must be imaged in a manner thatcannot be accomplished in a single x-ray exposure. For example, imaginga spinal column generally requires that the x-ray emitter projectmultiple doses of x-rays various angles or positions while a detectorbehind the patient is moved after each dose projection. The process isaccomplished in stages such that a first image is taken, the radiationemitter and radiation detector are moved, a second image is taken, andthe emitter and detector are moved again before another image is taken.The process repeats until the full area is captured. A technician mustthen review the images and attempt to align the images and stitch themtogether to form a single cohesive x-ray image of the patient.

During the process, to avoid over exposure to radiation, two options areavailable. One option is to maximize the projection field of radiationfrom the emitter. However, in that case, the patient must cover aportion of their body with lead to prevent unnecessary damage to areasof the body that cannot be captured during the exposure due to the sizeof the detector or that are not needed to be captured for the x-rayprocedure. The lead shielding must then be moved along with the detectorfor the second image and the process must be repeated for additionalimages. The process requires movement of the lead shielding which cancause the subject to move and may require movement of the detector aswell. Either movement increases the overall patient hold timeconsiderably and risks misaligning the patient such that stitching ofmultiple x-rays cannot be accomplished.

Alternately, to avoid cumbersome shielding, the radiologic technologistmust adjust the x-ray system, such as through the use of a collimator,to expose only the clinical region of interest before every exposure.However, for each exposure, the technician must readjust the position ofthe x-ray emitter and the scope of the collimator to account for the newregion of interest, thereby causing the patient hold time to increase toseveral minutes. In that adjustment period, it is often the case that asubject will move, and such movement has a detrimental effect on thequality of the x-ray as successive x-ray images will not perfectly alignand thereby prevent stitching. The movement of the x-ray emitterpresents similar problems to patient movement. It takes time and, if thetechnician does not capture sufficient overlap between images, thesuccessive images cannot be properly stitched.

In either case, the process is time consuming as the x-ray technicianmust align and reset the x-ray emitter and detector multiple times whileattempting to minimize movement of the subject. While large x-raydetectors can be purchased to acquire the entire image at one time, orfully robotic and automated systems could be used, such machines are,for many, prohibitively expensive or too large for the needs oravailable space of a practitioner.

There is a need in the field to accurately capture successive x-rayimages using a single small-format x-ray detector while limiting thedose of x-ray radiation experienced by the subject, limiting the timerequired to capture multiple exposures, limiting the patient's hold timeto prevent movement of the patient between multiple exposures andmaintain the position of the x-ray emitter and collimator for each x-rayimage capture and allowing for capture of multiple x-ray images that canreadily and reliably be stitched together to create a single x-rayimage.

SUMMARY

Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures willbe identified by like reference numbers. In some figures, components,such as additional electrical connections or fasteners have been omittedfor clarity in the drawings. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term“or” means “either or both” such that “A or B” includes A alone, Balone, and both A and B together.

The present apparatus and system provides the ability to reliablycapture multiple x-ray images without the need to reposition the x-rayemitter or adjust the collimator while minimizing the dose of radiationexperienced by the subject. One part of the system blocks a portion ofthe x-rays at the emitter when a first image is taken. Another part ofthe system allows the detector to be reliably moved in a consistentmanner, such that a subsequent x-ray image will reliably stitch to theinitial image. The blocking system may be altered to block differentportion of x-rays while the subsequent image is captured all withoutintentionally moving the emitter, collimator, or subject and can capturemultiple x-ray images while exposing the subject to the minimumnecessary dose of radiation but without the need for the patient toutilize protective covering (for example, a lead apron).

The system includes an x-ray generator within a housing and a beamlimiting device, hereinafter referred to as a collimator, to control thesize and shape of the field of emitted x-rays (the field mayalternatively be referred to as the x-ray beam). The housingsubstantially blocks x-ray radiation while the collimator provides anoutlet path for the emission of x-rays and allows a technician to narrowor widen the x-ray beam and for the emission of x-rays from housing. Thecollimator may include a proximal end that is located proximal to thesource of the x-ray generator and a distal end separated from theproximal end. The distal end may include an aperture providing a pointfor the x-rays to egress from the housing and be emitted toward atarget. The distal end of the collimator may include one or morebrackets (or, pins, clips, grips, detents, etc.). The brackets may beadapted to retain an exposure shield. The positioning of the bracketsmay be matched with the configuration of the exposure shield such thatthe exposure shield may engage the brackets so as to be held in place bythe brackets in proper alignment of the exposure shield over the distalend of the collimator.

In one embodiment, when engaged with the brackets in a first position,the exposure shield blocks a first portion of the x-ray beam that wouldotherwise be emitted from the distal end of the collimator in theabsence of the exposure shield. The exposure shield blocks a second, anddifferent portion of the x-ray beam when engaged in a second position.In that way, the exposure shield may be placed in a first position, theemitter may be activated to emit x-rays, some of which are blocked bythe exposure shield while another portion of the x-rays are not blockedand instead are allowed to penetrate the patient and form an x-ray imageon the detector. The detector may then be moved, the exposure shield maybe engaged in a second position, and emitter may be activated a secondtime such that a different portion of x-rays are blocked, and adifferent portion of x-rays are allowed to penetrate the patient andform an x-ray image on the detector. In that way, multiple differentimages may be acquired while minimizing a subject's exposure to x-raysand the collimator does not require focusing adjustments and both theemitter and the patient remain stationary. In general, for a twoexposure capture, the present system may reduce patient hold times from45 seconds or more per exposure to 15 seconds or less per exposure.

The exposure shield may be paired with a detector to form a furtherembodiment of the present system. The system includes a cabinet housinga movable detector. The cabinet includes a front face and a cavitybehind the front face. The cavity accommodates a movable x-ray detector.The cabinet may further include guides, such as rails, adapted to guidethe movement of the detector within cabinet. The detector or cabinetalso includes one or more retention locks that lock the detector invarious positions. Thus the detector may be locked in a first positionat the top portion of the cabinet. The retention lock may be disengagedand the detector may be guided along the guides to a second positionwhere the retention lock is reengaged to hold the detector in the secondposition. The cabinet may further include one or more cabinet mountingbrackets that may be affixed to a wall or other structural surface or toa mounting arm or cart. In any case, the mounted cabinet may be held inplace such that the cabinet remains stationary while the detector moveswithin the cabinet.

The lock(s) utilized for retaining the detector within the cabinet maybe positioned such that when the lock is engaged in a first position,the position of the detector corresponds to the exposure field of thex-rays when the exposure shield is in the first position. And, when thelock is engaged in a second position, the position of the detectorcorresponds to the exposure field of the x-rays when the exposure shieldis in the second position. The position of the lock(s) further ensurethat there is sufficient overlap on the detector between the first andsecond positions that the images captured in the first and secondexposures will stitch together.

Using both the cabinet and the exposure shield together, a technicianmay easily and reliably capture multiple images by locking the emitterand collimator in place, placing the exposure shield in the firstposition, locking the detector in a first position and positioning thepatient. The technician may then activate the x-ray emitter to capturethe first image. The technician may then reposition the exposure shieldto the second position, and unlock and move the detector along theguides to the second position and relock the detector in the secondposition all without intentionally moving the emitter, collimator, orpatient. And the technician may then capture the second image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a prior art system showing the movement of thecollimator and emitter housing along with the movement of the detector.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an embodiment of an exposure shield in a firstposition.

FIG. 2A is a depiction of an embodiment of an exposure shield positionedin a first position on an emitter housing at the distal end of acollimator.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of an embodiment of an exposure shield in a secondposition.

FIG. 3A is a depiction of an embodiment of an exposure shield positionedin a second position on an emitter housing at the distal end of acollimator.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an embodiment of an exposure shield that may beutilized to capture three or more different images.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of and embodiment of a sliding shieldtaken along cross-sectional line AB.

FIG. 5A is a depiction of an embodiment of present system showing thefield of x-ray exposure when utilizing an embodiment of the exposureshield in a first position along with an image of the shield on thecollimator in a first position.

FIG. 5B is a depiction of an embodiment of present system showing thefield of x-ray exposure when utilizing an embodiment of the exposureshield in a second position with an image of the shield on thecollimator in a second position.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of an embodiment of a detector and detectorcabinet that matches with an embodiment of an exposure shield.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of an embodiment of a detector and detectorcabinet that matches with an embodiment of an exposure shield.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart setting forth a progression of utilization of theexposure shield and cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts the prior art system for capturing multiple images. Atypical imaging facility includes a radiation emitter, such as an x-rayemitter 101 surrounded by a housing 102. The housing includes acollimator 103 having a distal end 104 that provides for the emission ofx-rays (generally shown as region 105) from the housing through anaperture of the radiation emitter. The detector 106 may be mounted to abracket 107 to allow for mobility of the detector along a structure,such as a column 108, that is likewise connected to the bracket 107.

The housing is capable of moving, for example rotating to aim the beamof x-rays emitted from the collimator at different targets. With thecollimator fully open, the x-ray field emitted may be as wide as thefield formed by lines a and e. However, the image detector 106, is notlarge enough to capture an image within the entirety of that field. Thusthe collimator may be adjusted to focus the x-ray beam and the housingmay be rotated such that a beam of x-rays is focused only in the fielddefined by lines a and c when the detector is in position 106 a. Thetechnician may then capture an image of a portion of the patient 109.

To capture a second image, the detector is moved to position 106 b, thehousing and collimator are rotated down and the collimator beam isrefocused to capture the field area defined by lines b and d. To capturea third image, the detector is moved to position 106 c, the housing andcollimator are rotated down and the collimator beam is refocused tocapture the field area defined by lines c and e. After all three imagesare captured, a technician must attempt to stitch the images together toform a single image. If, during any one of the movements described, thepatient moved, or the detector was not positioned with sufficientoverlap of the beam fields, or the collimator was not focused properlyto ensure overlap of the beam fields, the images captured will notproperly align and the technician will not be able to appropriatelystich the images together.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an embodiment of an exposure shield in a firstposition. The exposure shield includes a frame 200. The frame may bemade of any suitable ridged material. In one embodiment, the frame ismetal, such as aluminum. In another it is plastic, such as ABS orpolypropylene. The exposure shield includes an aperture, generallyindicated by numeral 201, defined by an aperture border 202 having alength and a width. The aperture allows x-rays to pass unimpeded throughthe frame. Generally the aperture is large enough such that when theframe is placed over a fully open collimator, it would allowsubstantially all x-rays emitted from the collimator to pass through it.

A typical x-ray emitter housing includes retention brackets. Thebrackets may be slides, pins, clips, binders or other retentionmechanisms for holding an object at or near the distal end of thecollimator. One embodiment of an x-ray emitter includes a bracketaffixed to an upper portion of the housing, above the distal end of thecollimator, and having a longitudinal groove that spans the outlet ofthe housing. The x-ray emitter includes a second bracket affixed to alower portion of the housing, below the distal end of the collimator,and having a longitudinal groove that spans the outlet housing. Oneembodiment of the frame 200 is adapted to slide within the grooves ofthe brackets so as to be held by the brackets such that the aperture ofthe frame is positioned in-line with the outlet.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the frame is providedwith a single shield 203. The shield is formed of a dense, x-rayabsorbent material. Suitable materials include lead and tungsten, thoughothers could be used. For example, it was found that to be effective theshield could provide an absorption factor equal to or greater than theequivalent of 0.5 mm of lead which has been proven in lead apron studiesto absorb 96-99% of x-ray in the diagnostic range. The shield covers aportion of the aperture. In one embodiment, the shield is permanentlyfixed in position. For example, the shield may be fastened to the frameusing fasteners, such as screws or rivets, or may be adhered to theframe. In one embodiment, the shield is integrated with the frame, forexample, the entire frame and shield could be a single unitary piece oftungsten, and in such an embodiment the full “aperture”—which is thearea that would allow for substantially all x-rays to pass through theframe—would be partially covered or filled in by the integrated shield.In an alternate embodiment, the shield is movably engaged with theframe. For example, the shield may include a grove about its perimeterthat engages with the frame, such as by frictional engagement withaperture border, and allows the shield to be slid up and down within theaperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the shield is fixed. InFIG. 2 , the frame 200 is in a first position and side 204 a of shield203 is visible. In FIG. 3 , the frame 200 has been flipped about itshorizontal axis such that side 204 b of shield 203 is visible. FIGS. 2Aand 3A depict embodiments the exposure shield in orientations from FIGS.2 and 3 , respectively, held by the housing of an x-ray emitter. Theemitter housing 120 includes retention brackets 121 and 122. The frame200 slides within groves of the retention brackets and is held by theretention brackets. In one embodiment, the frame may include one or moreadditional tabs on one or more sides. The tab(s) may prevent the framefrom connecting with the housing in the wrong position and mayfacilitate placement and removal of the frame from the emitter housing.In such embodiments, the frame may only be held by the retentionbrackets in two orientations, namely the orientation of FIG. 2 and theorientation of FIG. 3 . The frame may also include a grip 205 (orientedon the left side in FIG. 2 , for example, and, in an alternateembodiment, oriented on the right as in FIG. 2A, for example) to assistin attaching and removing the frame from the emitter. As shown in theFIG. 2A embodiment, the grip may overhand the housing of the emitter toprovide and easily graspable portion of the frame.

The shield has particular dimensions. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3 , line 206 indicates an imaginary center line such thatthe distances y₁ and y₂ are equal and make up the length of theaperture. The aperture width is x_(A). The distance y₃ (the shieldlength), which extends from the aperture border to the border of theshield is less than y₁. The shield width is x_(S). By ensuring that y₃is less than y₁, an image of a patient captured with the shield in theorientation shown in FIG. 2 and a subsequent image of a patient capturedwith the shield in the orientation of FIG. 3 are guaranteed to have aportion of each image overlap. In one embodiment, side 204 a, which forreference purposes could be considered the front side, includes indicia,such as the phrase “EXPOSURE 1” and side 204 b, which for referencepurposes could be considered the back side, includes different indicia,such as the phrase “EXPOSURE 2.” The frame may be slid into the emitterbracket with EXPOSURE 1 facing the patient and a first image may becaptured. The frame may then be removed from the emitter brackets andflipped along a single axis to orient the shield in the correct secondposition. The frame is reinserted into the emitter brackets withEXPOSURE 2 facing the patient and a second image may be captured.

Additional embodiments may include more than one shield. While anynumber of shields could be used, in typical practice anywhere from 1 to5 shields are sufficient to capture all of the images of a typical humanpatient. An exemplary embodiment with three shields, 401, 402, and 403is shown in FIG. 4 , with a cross-section of shield 402 shown in FIG.4A.

The shields include a groove about their perimeters to frictionallyengage the aperture border. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , shields 401and 403 only includes grooves on three sides that engage with theaperture boarder. Shield 402 includes grooves on either vertical sidethat correspond to the aperture boarder and groves on either horizontalside that correspond to shields 401 and 403 respectively. As shown inFIG. 4A, groove 404 mates with the aperture border, while groove 405mates with shield 403 while groove 406 mates with shield 401. Thus, theshields and the frame nest in a tongue-and-groove manner. It should beappreciated that while in the embodiment shown, shields 403 and 401 nestpartially within a groove of shield 402, shield 402 could alternatednest partially within shield 401 or 403. Importantly, however, whenplaced proximate to one another, at least a portion of each shieldoverlaps with the other shields. In that way, gaps between the shieldsare eliminates so as to prevent x-rays from passing between adjacentshields. The shields may each have the same or different horizontalwidths so long as the width of each is sufficient to span the entiretyof the aperture. In an alternate embodiment, the aperture may include agrove in its boarder and the shields may nest and slide within thegroove.

The shields may slide within the aperture. For example, in theembodiment of FIG. 4 , shield 401 may slide to occupy position 407 (asshown) or position 408. Shield 402 may slide to occupy position 408 orposition 409 (as shown). Shield 403 may slide to occupy position 409 or410 (as shown).

The vertical length of the portion of the aperture that each shieldblocks is less than the vertical length of the portion of the aperturethough which x-rays may pass unimpeded. That is, y₄, y₅, and y₆ are eachless than y₇. That ensures that there is overlap between images takenwhen the shield are slid between their various positions.

It should be appreciated that the vertical length of the portion of theaperture that each shield blocks may be slightly less than [1/(N+1)]*Lwhere N is the number of shields and L is the vertical length of theaperture (for example the length y₁+y₂ in FIG. 2 ). Thus, the verticallength of the portion of the aperture that the shield of FIG. 2 blocks(i.e. y₃) is slightly less than ½ of the aperture length while thevertical length of the portion of the aperture that shields 401, 402,and 403 block (y₄, y₅, y₆) is slightly less than ¼ the aperture length.It should be understood that embodiments of the apparatus describedherein may be scaled such that the perimeter of the aperture boarder issubstantially equal to the perimeter of the emitter outlet.

Once again, by blocking a portion of the aperture such that the portionof the aperture that allows x-rays to pass unimpeded is larger than theportion of the aperture that any one shield block ensures that therewill be overlap between subsequently captured images. The overlap maythen be matched to stitch the images together. It was found that shieldshaving vertical lengths that are approximately 0.05%-5% less than[1/(N+1)]*L are able to provide sufficient overlap between images. Whileover 5% could be utilized, going over that amount risks unnecessarilydosing the patient with more radiation than is necessary to achieveimages that may be appropriately stitched.

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide a depiction of the system in operation. Frame200 having shield 203 is affixed to the outlet of emitter housing 500.The collimator (not shown) within the emitter housing is fully opened.Detector 501 is positioned to capture x-rays and a patient 502 ispositioned between the emitter housing and the detector. X-rays areemitted from the emitter though the collimator and the shield blocksslightly less than half of the whole emitting field that could beprojected by the collimator (defined by lines 505 and 503) such thatx-rays are only emitted in the field defined by lines 504 and 503 (note,the lines are exaggerated for exemplary purposes and are not drawn toscale). The detector may then be moved to the position 506, and theframe 200 is flipped vertically and affixed to the emitting end of theemitter housing 500. X-rays are emitted from the emitter though thecollimator and the shield blocks slightly less than half of the wholeemitting field that could be projected by the collimator (defined bylines 505 and 503) such that x-rays are only emitted in the fielddefined by lines 505 and 504. The collimator and x-ray emitter are bothunmoved in the process.

A further embodiment matches a detector cabinet including a detectorwith the shield apparatus. It should be understood that while thedetector cabinet is referred to as a cabinet, it need not be a fullyenclosed structure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict an embodiment of detector cabinet 600. FIG. 6B isan exploded view. The cabinet includes a cabinet frame 601 having one ormore guides 602. The cabinet frame houses the detector 603 such that thedetector may be moved along the one or more guides. The detector furtheris adapted to engage the frame such that it may be held fast in multiplepositions. For example, the detector or cabinet may include lock thatengages to lock the detector and the cabinet frame together. In theembodiment of FIG. 6A, the detector includes a lock 604 that engages anddisengages the guide 602 to hold the detector in a desired position orallows the detector to be slid along the guide 602, respectively.

The cabinet includes a static front face 605 that covers the detector asthe detector is moved and held in multiple positions. The front faceincludes indicia that is matched with an exposure shield. For example,the front face 605 includes indicia that is matched with the exposureshield of FIGS. 2 and 3 . As shown in FIG. 6B, the front face 605 may bea sheet, such as a plastic laminate, that may be attached to a supportbase 605 a. That way, if the indicia on the front face is damaged, itcan be easily replaced. Alternatively, the front face could beintegrated with the support base or painted on the support base. Thefront face and support base may be attached to the cabinet frame byfasteners, such as screws or bolts for example. The indicia includes anupper zone 610, defined by upper zone top line 611, upper zone sidelines 613 and 614, and upper zone dashed bottom line 612. The indiciaincludes an lower zone 620, defined by lower zone dashed top line 621,lower zone side lines 623 and 624, and lower zone bottom line 622. Upperzone 610 includes center target 615 and lower zone 620 includes a centertarget 625. The center targets correspond to the desired center pointfor the field of x-rays that pass through the unshielded portion of theaperture 201 when the shield apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 is applied tothe emitter housing. For example, when the shield apparatus is appliedin the position of FIG. 2 for Exposure 1, the center target of thex-rays emitted through the unshielded portion of aperture 201 is centertarget 625. For example, when the shield apparatus is applied in theposition of FIG. 3 for Exposure 2, the center target of the x-raysemitted through the unshielded portion of aperture 201 is center target615.

The indicia define the outline of upper zone 610 having a length of y₁₀,and define the outline of lower zone 620 having a length of y₂₀. In theembodiment of FIG. 6 , y₁₀ and y₂₀ are essentially equal. The length ofthe detector 603 is at least as long as y₁₀ and y₂₀ and may be slightlylonger. It has been found that a detector that is approximately 1%-5%longer than y₁₀ and y₂₀ is sufficient.

With the foregoing configuration, the dashed lines 612 and 622 form anoverlap zone 630, and when the detector is moved from its upper mostposition to its lower most position, at least a portion of the detectoris guaranteed to remain covered by the overlap zone. The overlap zone630 corresponds to the portion of the aperture 201 of the shieldapparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 that is never blocked regardless of whetherthe shield apparatus is positioned as in FIG. 2 or positioned as in FIG.3 . That results in images having overlap corresponding to the overlapzone which facilitates alignment of the images for stitching. It shouldbe understood that alternate indicia could be applied to the front faceto create upper, lower, and middle zones with multiple overlap zonesthat correspond to embodiments having multiple shields, such as theembodiment of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a flow chart that sets forth an exemplary method of utilizingthe shield apparatus and a detector. First, the technician aligns thex-ray emitter parallel to the ground to provide the widest/tallestpossible field of x-ray emission at 701. The technician also opens thecollimator to cover the entire area of clinical interest with x-rayemissions at 702. The technician affixes the shield apparatus to thehousing with “EXPOSURE 1” right-side up and facing outward at 703. Thetechnician moves the detector such that it is covered by zone 620 at704. The patient is positioned in the proper posture is confirmed at705. The technician the takes the image of EXPOSURE 1 at 706. Withoutintentionally moving the emitter or the collimator, the technicianremoves that shield apparatus and flips it along the horizontal axis at707. Without intentionally moving the emitter or collimator, thetechnician then reaffixes the shield apparatus to the housing with“EXPOSURE 2” right-side up and facing outwards at 708. The technicianmoves the detector to such that it is covered by zone 610 at 709. Thetechnician takes the image of EXPOSURE 2 at 710. The patient may then bereleased from the hold position at 711. The technician or another maythen stitch together the images of the two exposures using the portionsof the images that were captured in the overlap zone 630 at 712.

Although the present apparatus and system has been described in terms ofvarious embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is notintended to be limiting. Various alterations and modifications will bereadily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, it isintended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering allalterations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of capturing multiple x-ray imagescomprising: positioning an x-ray detector in a first position sufficientto capture a first clinical region of interest, the x-ray detectorcomprising an area adapted to detect x-rays; positioning or adjusting anemitter or collimator within a housing such that, if activated, theemitter would emit x-rays from the housing over an area that is eithera) greater than the first clinical region of interest; or b) greaterthan the area of the x-ray detector adapted to detect x-rays; and then,coupling to the exterior of the housing a frame having an aperture withan aperture length and an aperture width, at least one shield having ashield length and a shield width; the at least one shield beingpositioned within the aperture; and wherein the shield width is greaterthan or equal to the aperture width and the shield length is less thanhalf the aperture length; and then, emitting x-rays from the housing fora first period of time, and then, moving the x-ray detector to a secondposition sufficient to capture a second clinical region of interests;uncoupling the frame from the housing, inverting the frame, andrecoupling the inverted frame to the housing; and then emitting x-raysfrom the housing for a second period of time.
 2. The method of capturingmultiple x-ray images of claim 1 wherein uncoupling the frame from thehousing, inverting the frame, and recoupling the inverted frame to thehousing is accomplished without intentionally adjusting either thecollimator or the emitter.
 3. The method of capturing multiple x-rayimages of claim 1 wherein, when the x-ray detector is in the secondposition, a portion of the area of the x-ray detector adapted to detectx-rays overlaps a portion of the area that the x-ray detector occupiedwhen the x-ray detector was in the first position.
 4. The method ofcapturing multiple x-ray images of claim 3 further comprising: afteremitting x-rays from the housing for a second period of time, utilizingthe overlapping portion detected by the detector to align an imagecorresponding to the first position and an image corresponding to thesecond position.
 5. A method of capturing multiple x-ray imagescomprising: positioning an x-ray detector in a first position sufficientto capture a first clinical region of interest, the x-ray detectorcomprising an area adapted to detect x-rays; positioning or adjusting anemitter or collimator within a housing such that, if activated, theemitter would emit x-rays from the housing over an area that is eithera) greater than the first clinical region of interest; or b) greaterthan the area of the x-ray detector adapted to detect x-rays; and then,coupling to the exterior of the housing a frame having at least oneshield having a shield length and a shield width; wherein the shieldlength and width are together sufficient to block a first x-ray fieldthat comprises at least and no more than 45% to 49.5% of the x-rays tobe emitted from the housing when the frame is coupled to the exterior ofthe housing; and then, emitting x-rays from the housing for a firstperiod of time, and then, moving the x-ray detector to a second positionsufficient to capture a second clinical region of interests; moving theat least one shield to a second position such that the shield length andwidth are together sufficient to block a second x-ray field that doesnot overlap the first x-ray field; ensuring that the frame is coupled tothe exterior of the housing when the shield is in the second position;and then emitting x-rays from the housing for a second period of time.6. The method of capturing multiple x-ray images of claim 5 whereinuncoupling the frame from the housing, inverting the frame, andrecoupling the inverted frame to the housing is accomplished withoutintentionally adjusting either the collimator or the emitter.
 7. Themethod of capturing multiple x-ray images of claim 5 wherein, when thex-ray detector is in the second position, a portion of the area of thex-ray detector adapted to detect x-rays overlaps a portion of the areathat the x-ray detector occupied when the x-ray detector was in thefirst position.
 8. The method of capturing multiple x-ray images ofclaim 7 further comprising: after emitting x-rays from the housing for asecond period of time, utilizing the overlapping portion detected by thedetector to align an image corresponding to the first position and animage corresponding to the second position.
 9. A method of capturing anx-ray image comprising: arranging proximal to one another an x-raydetector and a housing, the housing a) having associated with it atleast one retention bracket, and b) containing an x-ray emitter andadjustable collimator; arranging between the x-ray detector and thehousing a subject having a clinical area of interest comprised of afirst half and a second half; adjusting the collimator such that it isarranged to focus x-rays emitted from the housing over the entireclinical area of interest; using the retention bracket, coupling a framehaving a shield to the housing in a first orientation such that theshield is positioned to block a portion of the second half of theclinical area of interest but less than the entire second half of theclinical area of interest from being intentionally exposed to x-rays;ensuring that the x-ray detector is positioned such that it is adaptedto detect x-rays passing through the first half of the clinical area ofinterest; and emitting x-rays from the housing such that a portion ofthe x-rays are blocked by the shield and such that the subject and thex-ray detector are exposed to a portion of the x-rays in the entirefirst half of the area of clinical interest and in only in a firstportion of the second half of the area of clinical interest.
 10. Amethod of capturing an x-ray image as in claim 9 further comprising:without adjusting the subject, the x-ray emitter, or the collimator,moving the frame and shield and, using the retention bracket, couplingthe frame and shield to the housing in a second orientation such thatthe shield is positioned to block a portion of the first half of theclinical area of interest but less than the entire first half of theclinical area of interest from being intentionally exposed to x-rays;ensuring that the x-ray detector is positioned such that it is adaptedto detect x-rays passing through the entire second half of the clinicalarea of interest as well as a first portion of the first half of theclinical area of interests; and emitting x-rays from the housing suchthat a portion of the x-rays are blocked by the shield and the subjectand the x-ray detector are exposed to a portion of the x-rays in theentire second half of the area of clinical interest and in only aportion of the first half of the area of clinical interest; and whereinthe portion of the second half of the clinical area of interest exposedto x-rays in the first exposure and the portion of the first half of theclinical area of interest exposed in the second exposure overlap.
 11. Amethod of capturing an x-ray image as in claim 10 further comprising:creating two images based on the x-rays detected by the detector duringthe first and second exposures; overlapping the first image with thesecond image so as to match the portion of the second half of theclinical area of interest exposed to x-rays in the first exposure andthe portion of the first half of the clinical area of interest exposedin the second exposure overlap; forming a single composite image fromthe two images.